A request Arianne could not turn down arrived from Gilbert. Nate and Julian wanted to see her. She was only surprised they had waited this long.
Arianne stared at the message for a long moment. Released a slow breath. The screen remained lit in her hand.
"You okay?" Franz asked.
They had just finished dinner. Franz stood at the sink, washing the dishes, while Arianne dried each plate and stacked them to her right on the counter.
She set her phone face down near the edge. Continued drying.
"The boys invited us for dinner," she said. Tone controlled.
Franz paused mid-motion. Water running over the plate in his hands.
"Really? When?"
"Sunday. Dinner. Are you free?"
"Sunday?" He shut off the tap. Placed the dish on the rack. "I am assigned to help the twins with their night routine." A pause. "Do you think it would be alright to ask Aunt Estella to cover for me just once?"
